Royston 17 Old Haberdashers 6 THE Crows ended their season on a high by seeing off title-chasing Old Haberdashers. Royston ended their opponents hopes of claiming the Herts and Middlesex Division 2 North championship, with Old Streetonians 28-13 win o

Royston 17 Old Haberdashers 6

THE Crows ended their season on a high by seeing off title-chasing Old Haberdashers.

Royston ended their opponents' hopes of claiming the Herts and Middlesex Division 2 North championship, with Old Streetonians' 28-13 win over Cheshunt more than enough to see them home.

In front of a large crowd, Kevin Green's side impressed throughout.

Royston took the ball to the opposition and constantly forced Haberdashers on the back foot, with the backs recycling the ball to great effect.

The visitors' only first-half score was a long-range penalty that they slotted over with the wind behind them.

Fly-half Jason Deards and centre Rob Turner both came out strongly in the second half, and gave The Crows the perfect platform to build from. And the hosts were rewarded when number eight Gary Ryall drove over for a deserved try.

Deards slotted the conversion over, and in showing his cool once more added a comfortable penalty moments later, with Royston looking good at 10-3.

Midway through the half, Haberdashers staged a spirited comeback and gained a penalty that they kicked to narrow the lead to 10- 6.

This seemed to spur Royston to greater endeavour and with the backs pushing hard, Haberdashers spilled the ball and allowed winger Chris Wallis to gather and run in a great try, that together with Jason Deards' conversion, was to seal the game for the home side.

Green said: "This was no lucky win, because we were by far the better team on the day, and played some exceptional rugby.

"All in all, the day was a total success, with the minis giving a brilliant demonstration at half time to show everyone what a thriving youth policy we have.

"It was also a final farewell to two individuals based at Bassingbourn Barracks, physiotherapist Becki Parry and flanker Ian Bibey, who are moving on."

The Crows have several friendly games lined up with St Neots first up at the Heath on Saturday, at 3pm.

Royston: Shackleton, Dummett, Mills, Fidler, Easy, Bibey, Ryall, McDermott, Edwards, Wallis, Deards, Fox, Turner, Clay, Marvell. (Replacements): Alford, Bass, Sirett.